Dental Health Topics

Keeping your medical team in the loop on the medication and supplements your family consumes is more important than you might imagine. Some supplements, especially those that also act as natural blood thinners (like garlic and curcumin) can create serious complications during surgery and deep cleanings.

In this article, we’ll fill you in on what can go wrong, some of the common herbs and drugs that cause problems, and address some common questions that pop up so you can be prepared.

What Can Go Wrong

Keeping your dentist abreast of the supplements and medications your child takes is critical for two very important reasons: some are blood thinners and can prevent clotting during surgery and cleanings, and others can heighten or lessen the effects of anesthesia.

Neither of these scenarios is good, so whenever your kids are taking anything at all (even over the counter meds), be sure to let your medical team know.

Common herbs and drugs that cause problems (not a complete list):

Everfew

Ginseng

St. John’s Wort

Ginkgo

Kava and Ephedra

Curcumin

Garlic

Ginkgo

Goldenseal

Alfalfa

Barberry

Bromelain

Cinnabar root

Dong quai

Horse chestnut

Melilot

Oregon grape

Sweet woodruff

Alprazolam (also known as Xanax)

Atenolol Furosemide (also known as Lasix)

Lipitor

Propoxyphene

Synthroid (also known as Levothyroxine)

Vicodin (also known as hydrocodone)

Keeping your children safe from dental drug interactions and excessive bleeding is as simple as talking to the doctor before an exam.

Many times, a patient will fill out paperwork mentioning the drugs or supplements they’re taking when they first start as a patient – if you’re not asked about changes to your habits since filling out the form, offer up the info on your own. It’s the best thing way to cover all your bases.